Pakistan, Russia must turn goodwill into trade gains: President Zardari

Mettis Global reported that President Asif Ali Zardari received Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Zardari urged that collaboration on commerce, energy, industry, regional linkages and counterterrorism be expanded, so that leadership goodwill yields tangible gains for both peoples. He pointed out that bilateral trade of $243.412mn in FY2025 remains far below its potential.

Zardari said Pakistan's geography makes it a bridge linking South, Central and West Asia, and he backed wider use of the International North-South Transport Corridor along with rail and road routes through Central Asia. He asked for early resumption of direct flights and better cargo links between the two countries. On people-to-people ties, he welcomed the large rise in visas granted to Russian citizens and sought similar facilitation for Pakistani businesspeople, tourists and students. He also raised visa, residency and immigration difficulties facing Pakistani students studying in Russia.

On regional security, Zardari voiced serious alarm over Gulf tensions, including strikes on vessels, energy sites and vital infrastructure. He warned the conflict threatens regional calm and energy supplies, urging restraint, respect for sovereignty and dialogue, and honouring the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. He also highlighted secure sea routes via Hormuz and the Red Sea. Minister Kolokoltsev agreed that trade lags behind the political relationship, thanked Pakistan for its UN backing and invited Zardari to visit Russia.